Abstract
A field trial was conducted during the 2018 rainy season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus to evaluate the effects of different tillage methods on the growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L). The tillage methods evaluated were zero tillage, bed tillage, ridge tillage, and minimum tillage. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. A basal rate of 12:12:17 + 2MgO fertilizer was applied two weeks after planting using the side dressing method. Harvesting was done three months after planting. Data obtained for yield components were subjected to analysis of variance. The effects of tillage methods on soil properties showed that soil levels for pH, organic matter, K, Ca, Mg, base saturation, Na, exchangeable acidity and Available P were all significantly affected (P<0.05) by the different tillage methods. Under bed tillage method, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and branches contributed significantly to the yield of groundnut. The growth parameters under minimum tillage showed significant differences- number of branches correlated positively with nodule numbers at (0.05) probability level; highest value of growth parameters were in the Bed tillage method followed by Zero tillage and Minimum tillage. Ridge tillage was the least. Bed tillage therefore is recommended as the best method to produce groundnut considering the soil and weather conditions of the experimental area.